Rope and connector assembly



March 8, 1966 FRQYD 3,238,585

ROPE AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Filed D80. 50, 1964 Avvavrop 5 P0; AWJ FPO YD ATTORNEYS United States Patent @fifice Patented Mar. 8, 1966 3,238,585 RUPE AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Rolan J. Froyd, Deephaven Park, Minn. (Rte. 3, Box 456, Wayzata, Minn.) Filed Dec. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 422,262 4 Claims. (Cl. 24129) This invention relates to a connector device for interconnecting flexible members together, or for permitting one end of an elongate flexible member to which an object such as a boat is attached, to be releasably connected to a support such as a post, a tree or the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel connector device having an opening therein through which a flexible member extends to form a releasable locking loop embracing a lug at one end of the device, the device also having a second opening therein which permits attachment of a second flexible member thereto, or which permits the first flexible member to extend through this second opening to form an attaching loop for securing the flexible member to a support such as a post, tree, or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rope and connector assembly, of simple and inexpensive construction, which is capable of ready but releasable connection to the end of a flexible member such as another rope or the like and therefore serves as a means for extending or splicing ropes together, and also being especially adaptable for use with boats as a means for connecting the boat to a support by means of an adjustable loop formed by the rope and connector assembly for releasable engagement with the support.

A further object of this invention is to provide a connector device of the class described which may be readily formed from a single blank of metal through a stamping or other forming operation.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the rope and connector device assembly in conjunction with a boat.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the rope and connector assembly illustrating one relationship of the rope or flexible member with respect to the connector device.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken approximately along 33 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view along line 44 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 but on a reduced scale illustrating a different relationship of a pair of ropes with respect to the connector device.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that one embodiment of my novel rope and connector assembly, designated generally by the reference number 10, is there shown. The assembly 10, as shown during use, includes a connector device 11 and one or more ropes or other kinds of flexible members 12 which releasably engage the connector device. Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the connector device 11 is constructed of a suitable rigid material such as metal, plastic, or the like. In the embodiment shown, the connector device is formed from aluminum and is preferably formed in a stamping or shaping operation from flat aluminum stock. It will be seen that one end 13 of the connector device ll is substantially straight and that the side edges 14 diverge slightly therefrom. It will also be noted as best seen in FIG. 4 that the longitudinal marginal portions are bent outwardly from the general plane of the connector device 11 so that substantially smooth bearing surfaces are presented.

The end portion of the connector device located oppositely of the end edge 13 has a pair of laterally spaced apart retaining elements 16 which project longitudinally therefrom. The connector device 11 includes an upper surface 18 and a lower surface 19 and it will be seen that the arcuate and longitudinal marginal portions 15 were bent in a downward direction. A loop engaging lug 17 integrally formed with the connector device 11 is spaced between the retaining elements 16 and projects longitudinally from one end of the connector device. It will be noted that the loop engaging lug 17 is provided with a relatively narrow neck 20 that projects arcuately up wardly from the general plane of the connector device 11.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 5, it will be seen that the spacing between the retaining elements 16 and the loop engaging lugs 17 is such that a pair of inwardly diverging arcuate recesses 21 are formed, each being of a size slightly larger than the diameter of the rope or flexible member 12. The connector device 11 has a circular opening 22 therein located adjacent to the end edge 13 and having its axis located substantially within the longitudinal centerline plane thereof. An annular hearing element 22 is clamped to the edge portions which circumscribed the circular opening 22 and it will be noted that this annular bearing element presents a continuous arcuate inner surface. Thus, it will be seen from FIG. 3 that the annular bearing element 22 is of generally arcuate cross-sectional configuration. The opening 22 is of a size only slightly larger than the diameter of the flexible member 12 and thereby permits the passage of the flexible member therethrough. The connector device 11 also has a transversely extending, elongate opening 24 therein which is of ovate configuration and has its short axis located substantially within the general longitudinal centerline plane of the connector device 11. It will be seen that the transverse opening 24 is interposed between the opening 23 and the loop engaging lug 17. This transverse opening 24 has a width that extends transversely of the connector device 11 which is slightly larger than twice the diameter of the flexible member 12. Therefore, the transverse opening 24 will permit the passage of two flexible members 12 to be passed therethrough in side-by-side relation. Alternatively, the opening 24 will accommodate the end portions of a loop formed by the flexible member 12.

The flexible member 12 which releasably engages the connector device 11 cooperates with the latter to define a rope and connector assembly which may be used to secure another object such as a boat or the like to a support such as a tree. It will be seen that the flexible member 12 passes downwardly through the opening 24 and is looped around the loop engaging lug 17 and is thereafter extended reversely through the opening 24. Thus, a locking loop 25 is formed which permits the rope to be securely fastened to the connector device. When it is desirable, for example, to releasably and quickly connect an object such as a boat through the use of the rope and connector assembly 10 to a support, one end of the rope or flexible member 12 will be secured to the bow or stern of a boat as illustrated in FIG, 1. The other, or free end of the rope 12, will be then passed upwardly through the opening 22 and the flexible member may then be extended around a support such as a tree and thereafter pass through the transverse opening 24 so that a first or attaching loop 26 is formed. The rope 12 is then shaped to form the locking loop 25 which engages the upper surface of the engaging loop 17 and the free end of the rope is thereafter extended through the opening 24. Thus, the rope or flexible member is securely attached to a tree but its locked relationship with the connector device 11 may be quickly released. This can be done by loosening the locking loop 20 and thereafter removing the locking loop from the engaged relation with respect to the loop engaging lug 17. The locking loop may then quickly be pulled through the transverse opening 24 to permit quick disengagement of the flexible member from the support.

'It is also pointed out that the flexible members can be readily adjusted with respect to its connection to a support such as a tree by loosening the locking loop 25 and thereafter shortening or lengthening that portion of the flexible member extending between the object such as a boat and the support. The locking loop will have to be tightened against the loop engaging lug 17 after the adjustment has been made. It is pointed out that the lower curved arcuate surface of the loop engaging lugs 17 facilitates slipping the locking loop into place over the loop engaging lug. It will further be noted that the recesses 21 located between the retaining elements 16 and the loop engaging lug 17 very nicely accommodate. those portions of the locking loop which extend from the bight thereof. It will also be noted that the retaining elements together with the loop engaging lug 17 and the specific configuration and shape of the recesses 21 prevent disengagement of the locking loop from the loop engaging lug. To this end, it will be noted that the loop engaging lug 17 as best seen in FIG. 3 projects upwardly beyond the bight of the locking loop and the force exerted by the locking loop will normally be downwardly against the upper surface of the loop engaging lug element.

In some instances, the rope and connector assembly 10 may be secured to one end of a second flexible member as best seen in FIG. 5. When used in this manner, it will be seen that only a locking loop 25 is formed in the flexible member 12 and projects through the transverse Opening 24 which accommodates two thicknesses of the rope 12. The second flexible member 12a may have one end thereof projecting through the opening 22 to form an end loop 27, the free end of which may be taped or otherwise secured to the adjacent portion of the rope 12 so that the end loop 27 will not slip loose.

As pointed out above, the rope and connector assembly 10 may be used very effectively with a boat as a means for quickly but securely connecting a boat to a support such as a tree, a post or the like. In some instances, it may be desirable to use the rope and connector assembly to be interconnected to another flexible member such as a leash which is connected to an animal. Thus, one end of a leash may be connected with the connector device 11 by means of the opening 22 while the rope 12 will be connected to the connector device 11 in a manner illustrated in FIG. 5. The arrangement illustrated in FIG. may also be used in conjunction with an implement or vehicle being towed by another and where it is desirable to have a quickly adjustable connection for varying the eifective length of the articulated connection between such vehicles. It will therefore be seen that the rope and connector assembly has a very wide application. It is pointed out that the particular manner in which the locking loop engages the loop engaging lug 17 with the free ends of the loop passing through a single transverse opening, produces a very secure connection between the rope and connector device while permitting ready release of this flexible connection.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I provided a novel rope and connector assembly wherein the rope can be interrelated to the connector device to produce a readily adjustable connecting loop for connection to a support, and a locking loop which very effectively interconnects the rope to the connector device. This arrangement is especially adaptable to use with boats and provides a means for very easily securely connecting a boat to a support.

It will also be noted from the preceding paragraphs that the novel rope and connector assembly be used as a 4. means for providing an effective and adjustable connection to a second rope or other flexible member and is therefore adaptable for use as an adjustable articulated connection between towed vehicles.

Thus, it will be seen that I have provided a novel rope and connector assembly which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but one that functions in a more efiicient manner than any heretofore known comparable devices.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with an elongate flexible member adapted to have one end thereof secured to an object and having a free end,

a connector member formed of a rigid material and having a lug element integrally formed with and projecting longitudinally from one end thereof,

said connector member having a pair of longitudinally spaced apart openings therein, one of which is located between said lug element and said other opening and extending transversely of said connector member,

said transverse opening having a width slightly greater than twice the diameter of said flexible member,

the free end of said flexible member extending through said openings to form a first loop adapted to be positioned around a support such as a post, tree or the like,

said free end being looped around said lug and extending reversely through said transverse opening to form an adjustable locking loop for locking said first loop but permitting adjustment of the latter.

2. In combination with an elongate flexible member adapted to have one end thereof secured to an object and having a free end,

a generally flat elongate connector member formed of rigid material and having a lug element integrally formed with andprojecting longitudinally from one end thereof, said lug element including an end portion and a neck portion of reduced width, and being bent longitudinally in a direction away from the general plane of the connector member,

said connector member having a pair of longitudinally spaced apart openings therein, one of which is located between said lug element and said other opening and extending transversely of said connector member,

said transverse opening having a width slightly greater than twice the diameter of said flexible member,

the free end of said flexible member extending through said transverse opening and being looped around said lug element and extending reversely through said transverse opening to form an adjustable locking loop releasably locking said flexible member to said connector member, and said first mentioned opening being selectively connectable to portions of said flexible member and a second flexible member.

3. In combination with an elongate flexible member adapted to have one end thereof secured to an object and having a free end,

a generally flat, elongate connector member formed of a rigid material having a pair of laterally spaced apart retaining elements integrally formed therewith and projecting longitudinally from one end thereof,

a lug element integrally formed with said connector member and projecting longitudinally from said one end thereof, said lug element being located between and spaced from said retaining element, and including an end portion and a neck portion of reduced width, said lug element being bent longitudinally in a direction away from the general plane of the connector member,

said connector member having a pair of longitudinally spaced apart openings therein, one of which is located between said lug element and said other opening and extending transversely of said connector member, said transverse opening having a width slightly larger than twice the diameter of said flexible memher,

the free end of said flexible member extending through said transverse opening and being looped around said lug element extending reversely through said transverse opening to form an adjustable locking loop releasably locking said flexible member to said connector member, and said first mentioned opening being selectively connectable to a portion of said flexible member and a second flexible member.

4. The device as defined in claim 3 and an arcuate re- References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 952,035 3/1910 Gardella. 1,153,053 9/1915 Forster 24-129 X 1,306,369 6/ 1919 Bell. 1,976,643 10/1934 Watts 24129 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

B. A. GELAK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH AN ELONGATE FLEXIBLE MEMBER ADAPTED TO HAVE ONE END THEREOF SECURED TO AN OBJECT AND HAVING A FREE END, A CONNECTOR MEMBER FORMED OF A RIGID MATERIAL AND HAVING A LUG ELEMENT INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH AND PROJECTING LONGITUDINALLY FROM ONE END THEREOF, SAID CONNECTOR MEMBER HAVING A PAIR OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED APART OPENINGS THEREIN, ONE OF WHICH IS LOCATED BETWEEN SAID LUG ELEMENT AND SAID OTHER OPENING AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID CONNECTOR MEMBER, SAID TRANSVERSE OPENING HAVING A WIDTH SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN TWICE THE DIAMETER OF SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBERS, THE FREE END OF SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBER EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPENINGS TO FORM A FIRST LOOP ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED AROUND A SUPPORT SUCH AS A POST, TREE OR THE LIKE, SAID FREE END BEING LOOPED AROUND SAID LUG AND EXTENDING REVERSELY THROUGH SAID TRANSVERSE OPENING TO FORM AN ADJUSTABLE LOCKING LOOP FOR LOCKING SAID FIRST LOOP BUT PERMITTING ADJUSTMENT OF THE LATTER. 